Baseline findings from the Anal Cancer Examination (ACE) study: screening using digital ano-rectal examination in HIV-positive men who have sex with men

Jason J Ong; Andrew Grulich; Sandra Walker; Jennifer Hoy; Tim Read; Catriona Bradshaw; Suzanne M Garland; Richard Hillman; David Templeton; Jane Hocking; Beng Eu; B K Tee; Christopher K Fairley

doi:10.1177/0969141315604658

Baseline findings from the Anal Cancer Examination (ACE) study: screening using digital ano-rectal examination in HIV-positive men who have sex with men

J Med Screen. 2016 Jun;23(2):70-6. doi: 10.1177/0969141315604658. Epub 2015 Oct 13.

Authors

Jason J Ong¹, Andrew Grulich², Sandra Walker³, Jennifer Hoy⁴, Tim Read³, Catriona Bradshaw⁵, Suzanne M Garland⁶, Richard Hillman⁷, David Templeton², Jane Hocking⁸, Beng Eu⁹, B K Tee¹⁰, Christopher K Fairley¹¹

Affiliations

¹ Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Australia [email protected].
² Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Australia.
³ Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Australia.
⁴ Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Australia.
⁵ Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Australia Central Clinical School, Monash University, Australia.
⁶ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
⁷ Westmead Clinical School, University of Sydney, Australia.
⁸ Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia.
⁹ Prahran Market Clinic, Melbourne Australia.
¹⁰ The Centre Clinic, Victorian AIDS Council, Melbourne Australia.
¹¹ Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Australia Central Clinical School, Monash University, Australia.

PMID: 26462726
DOI: 10.1177/0969141315604658

Abstract

Objective: Cytological screening for anal cancer precursors is not always possible. We investigated digital ano-rectal examination (DARE) as a means of early anal cancer detection in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: We recruited 327 HIV-positive MSM aged 35 and over from clinics with HIV physicians in Melbourne, Australia, to receive an annual DARE. We analyzed baseline data from patient questionnaires regarding general, anal and sexual health, adverse effects from the anal examination, cancer worry, and quality of life.

Results: The majority of men (82%, 95% CI:78-87) felt relaxed during the DARE, 1% (95% CI:0-3) complained of pain, and 1% (95% CI:0-4) reported bleeding after the examination. Nearly all men (99%, 95% CI:96-100) were willing to continue with an annual DARE. Quality of life was unaffected with utility scores of 0.76 before examination vs. 0.77 two weeks after examination, (p = 0.41). An anal abnormality was detected in 86 men (27%, 95% CI:22-31), with one anal cancer identified. The specialist referral rate following DARE was 5% (95% CI:3-8). Recruitment rates were significantly associated with the clinic setting (sexual health centre 78%, general practice 13%, hospital 14%, p = 0.002) and specialty (sexual health physician 67%, general practitioner 20%, infectious disease physician 14%, p = 0.031).

Conclusion: Annual DARE to detect anal cancer in HIV-positive MSM was acceptable for patients, with minimal side effects. Strategies to increase HIV physician's patient recruitment would be needed if DARE were to be implemented in anal cancer screening.

Keywords: HIV; anal cancer; digital ano-rectal examination; men who have sex with men; tertiary screening.

MeSH terms

Anal Canal
Anus Neoplasms / diagnosis*
Australia
Digital Rectal Examination*
Early Detection of Cancer / methods*
HIV Infections*
Homosexuality, Male*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
Surveys and Questionnaires